Managing Director

Social Development Direct; City Of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A mission-driven consultancy in the UK is seeking a Managing Director to lead its next development phase. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in social justice, commercial awareness, and experience in international development. The role offers an opportunity to provide inspirational leadership and ensure sustainable performance while advancing the organisation's influence across global initiatives. Interested candidates should apply by December 16th, 2025.

Qualifications

• Proven track record of successfully leading and managing an enterprise or consultancy.
• Experience in the international development sector is highly preferable.
• Demonstrated ability to provide inspirational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead the next phase of SDDirect’s development.
• Advance the organisation's influence and impact.
• Ensure excellent technical quality and sustainable commercial performance.

Skills

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Social justice background

Resilience

Communication

Job description

About The Role

Social Development Direct is a mission‑driven, international development consultancy with a global reputation for excellence in gender equality and social inclusion. As a social enterprise subsidiary of Plan International UK, we combine commercial agility with a deep commitment to social change.

We are seeking a Managing Director who will lead the next phase of SDDirect’s development, advancing the organisation’s influence and impact. The Managing Director will report into the CEO of Plan International UK and the SDDirect Board, and will provide inspirational leadership to SDDirect’s talented and motivated executive and staff, ensuring the organisation continues to deliver excellent technical quality alongside sustainable commercial performance.

This role offers a unique opportunity for a dynamic, values‑led and engaging leader, with drive, resilience and commercial acumen. A high level of commercial awareness, combined with a social justice technical background, and a proven track record of successfully leading and managing a commercial enterprise, consultancy or similar organisation or unit in the international development sector is highly preferable for this position.

For more information about the company, role and responsibilities, please click here to read the full job description and person specification.

We are committed to creating a diverse workforce and welcome applications from qualified candidates from all ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds. We wish to particularly encourage applications from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, who are underrepresented at this level.

How to Apply

If you are interested in leading our dynamic team, please refer to the Person Specification and submit your tailored CV and cover letter. The deadline for applying is Tuesday 16th December 2025 Due to the high volume of applications, we are only able to respond to shortlisted candidates.

If you would like a confidential discussion about the role, please get in touch with Sue Griffiths, Managing Director, [email protected], to arrange this.

As this is a UK‑based role, please confirm your eligibility to reside and work in the UK as part of your cover letter.

Our Selection Process

Social Development Direct’s organisational vision is a just and equal world founded on gender equality and social inclusion. Our mission is to provide excellence in social development to support policies, laws, social norms and institutions that advance social, economic and political justice for all. We are committed to creating a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace and welcome people from under‑represented groups to apply.

The selection process for this recruitment will include two formal interviews, including a presentation exercise, and informal meetings with a staff panel and members of the Senior Leadership Team. The selection process will take place throughout January, with first stage interviews expected to be held in the week commencing 5th January 2026.

For those who are invited to interview, we may process information about whether or not applicants have a disability or impairment so we can make adjustments during the recruitment process and implement the Disability Confident scheme. Please read our privacy notice and consent to providing this information when you apply. Our full privacy notice can be read on our careers page here: Privacy Notice for applicants | Social Development Direct (sddirect.org.uk).

Should you have any enquiries or need assistance or accommodations to ensure accessibility throughout the application process, please contact the HR team at [email protected]